Handheld electronic device having virtual navigational input device, and associated method

ABSTRACT

An improved handheld electronic device having a virtual navigational input device includes a case, and further includes an input apparatus and a processor apparatus disposed on the case. The processor apparatus executes a routine that compares vibrational results of a contact by a user on the case with reference vibrational results to identify the nature of the contact and to interpret the contact as an input to the processor. The exemplary contact with the case is in the nature of a sliding contact over a series of first features or over a series of second features and can be interpreted as one of more navigational inputs to the processor. The exemplary contact can also be in the nature of a touching or tapping contact or other contact with the case.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The disclosed and claimed concept relates generally to handheldelectronic devices and, more particularly, to an input device of ahandheld electronic device.

2. Background

Numerous types of handheld electronic device are known. Examples of suchhandheld electronic device include, for instance, personal dataassistants (PDAs), handheld computers, two-way pagers, cellulartelephones, and the like. Many handheld electronic devices also featurea wireless communication capability, although many such handheldelectronic devices are stand-alone devices that are functional withoutcommunication with other devices.

A typical handheld electronic device might include an input apparatus, aprocessor apparatus, and an output apparatus, with the input apparatusproviding input to the processor apparatus, and with the processorapparatus providing output signals to the output apparatus. Numeroustypes of input devices are known and would include, for example,keypads, track wheels, touch screens, buttons, microphones, and thelike. While such handheld electronic devices have generally beeneffective for their intended purposes, such handheld electronic deviceshave not, however, been without limitation.

Many known input devices are of a mechanical nature and thus can addweight and cost to a handheld electronic device, both of which areundesirable in a typical competitive marketplace. Moreover, mechanicalinput devices increase the complexity of manufacturing such a device,with resultant reduced flexibility in the manufacturing process.Moreover, mechanical input devices are subject to wear and breakage,which can seriously impair the functionality of a handheld electronicdevice. It thus would be desirable to provide an improved handheldelectronic device and an associated method that overcome at least someof these and other limitations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understanding of the disclosed and claimed concept can be gainedfrom the following Description Of The Preferred Embodiment when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an improved handheld electronic device inaccordance with the disclosed and claimed concept;

FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of the improved handheld electronicdevice of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view as taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view as taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view as taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view as taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a representation of a first exemplary reference vibrationalresult;

FIG. 9 is representation of a second exemplary reference vibrationalresult;

FIG. 10 is a representation of a first exemplary set of vibrationalresults of a contact with the handheld electronic device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a representation of a second exemplary set of vibrationalresults of a contact with the handheld electronic device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a representation of a third exemplary set of vibrationalresults of a contact with the handheld electronic device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is an exemplary flow chart depicting certain aspects of animproved method that can be performed on the handheld electronic deviceof FIG. 1; and

FIG. 14 is another exemplary flow chart depicting certain aspects of animproved method that can be performed on the handheld electronic deviceof FIG. 1.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the specification.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An improved handheld electronic device 4 is depicted generally in FIG. 1and is depicted schematically in FIG. 2. The exemplary handheldelectronic device 4 includes a housing 8 upon which are disposed aninput apparatus 12, a processor apparatus 16, and an output apparatus20. The processor apparatus is responsive to input from the inputapparatus 12 and provides output signals to the output apparatus 20. Theimproved handheld electronic device 4 advantageously additionallyincludes a number of virtual input devices 24 that will be described ingreater detail below. As employed herein, the expression “a number of”and variations thereof shall refer broadly to any nonzero quantity,including a quantity of one. Examples of handheld electronic devices areincluded in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,452,588 and 6,489,950 which areincorporated by reference herein.

The case 8 includes a housing 28 and a display 32. In the presentexemplary embodiment, the display 32 includes a screen 36 and a cover40. The screen 36 may be any type of visual output device such as an LCDscreen or other such device. The cover 40 in the exemplary embodimentdepicted herein is a sheet-like piece of transparent material, such as aplastic, that is incorporated into the housing 28. The screen 36 isdisposed on structures (not expressly depicted herein) within aninterior region of the housing 28. The screen 36 is visible through thecover 40.

As can be understood from FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the case 8 includes a frontwall 44 having a front surface 48, a rear wall 52 having a rear surface56, a top wall 60 having a top surface 64, a bottom wall 68 having abottom surface 72, a left wall 76 having a left surface 80, and a rightwall 84 having a right surface 88. The front, rear, top, bottom, left,and right walls 44, 52, 60, 68, 76, and 84 can be referred to asperipheral walls that generally enclose the interior region of thehousing 28. The front, rear, top, bottom, left, and right surfaces 48,56, 64, 72, 80, and 88 can generally be said to together form anexterior surface of the handheld electronic device 4. The cover 40 isincorporated into the exemplary front wall 44, and a portion of thefront surface 48 extends across the cover 40. The case 8 can bemanufactured out of any of a variety of appropriate materials, such asplastics, although other materials may be appropriate without departingfrom the present concept.

The input apparatus 12 includes a vibrational input system 92 and mayinclude other types of input systems such as radio reception systems andthe like. The vibrational input system 92 described herein and depictedgenerally in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 includes a microphone 96, a first sensor100, a second sensor 104, and a third sensor 108. The microphone 96 isan audio transducer than can convert acoustic vibrational energy such assounds into electrical signals. The first, second, and third sensors100, 104, and 108 are vibrational sensors which may be, for instance,audio sensors, accelerometers, or types of sensors that detectvibrational energy or activity. As employed herein, the expression“vibrational sensor” and variations thereof shall refer broadly to anytype of device that can convert vibrational energy or activity, such asvibrations of a fluid such as air which would include acoustic vibrationenergy, and vibrations of solids such as would include mechanicalvibration energy, into another form such as electrical signals. In thepresent exemplary embodiment, the first, second, and third sensors 100,104, and 108 are accelerometers, although other types of vibrationalsensors can be employed without departing from the present concept. Themicrophone 96 is itself a vibrational sensor.

As can be seen more particularly in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first sensor 100is disposed generally at an intersection between the front, top, andright walls 44, 60, and 84 of the case 8, and the third sensor 108 isdisposed at an intersection of the rear, top, and right walls 52, 60,and 84. The second sensor 104 is disposed at an intersection between thefront and right walls 44 and 84. The microphone 96 is disposed adjacentan interior surface of the front wall 44. It is noted, however, that theexemplary positioning of the microphone 96 and the first, second, andthird sensors 100, 104, and 108 depicted herein is not intended to belimiting.

The output apparatus 20 includes a loudspeaker 112 and can also be saidto include the display 32. In this regard, it is understood that thehierarchy of components described herein is not intended to be limiting.The loudspeaker 112 is disposed adjacent an interior surface of thefront wall 44. The front wall 44 has formed therein a microphone opening116 adjacent the microphone 96 and a loudspeaker opening 120 adjacentthe loudspeaker 112 in order to enable fluid communication between themicrophone 96 and the loudspeaker 112, respectively, and exterior of thehandheld electronic device 4.

The processor apparatus 16 includes a processor 124 and a memory 128.The processor 124 can be, for instance and without limitation, amicroprocessor (μP) that interfaces with the memory 128. The memory 128has stored therein at least a first routine 122 that is executable onthe processor 124. The memory 128 additionally has stored therein otherdata such as various stored inputs 136 that could include, for instanceand without limitation, textual inputs, functional inputs, navigationalinputs, selection inputs, and the like that can be input to theprocessor 24 in appropriate circumstances. The routine 132 can be in anyof a variety of forms such as, without limitation, software, firmware,and the like. The memory 20 can be any of a variety of types of internaland/or external storage media such as, without limitation, RAM, ROM,EPROM(s), EEPROM(s), and the like that provide a storage register fordata storage such as in the fashion of an internal storage area of acomputer, and can be volatile memory or nonvolatile memory.

The exemplary virtual input devices 24 mentioned above include, in thepresent embodiment, a virtual keypad 140 and a virtual navigationalinput device 144. The virtual keypad 140 and the virtual navigationalinput device 144 are considered to be “virtual” input devices inasmuchas they do not directly provide input to the processor 124, and ratherenable the input apparatus 12 to provide such input.

The virtual keypad 140 includes a plurality of virtual keys disposed ata number of predetermined locations, generally on an exterior surface ofthe case 8. The virtual keys could, for example, be printed onto thecase 8, with any predetermined printed location being the location atwhich to contact the case 8 if it is desired to provide a correspondingpredetermined input 136 to the processor 128.

For instance, and as can be seen in FIG. 1, the virtual keypad 140includes a plurality of virtual text entry keys 148, many of whichcomprise one or more exemplary linguistic elements 152, with thelinguistic elements 152 being arranged in an exemplary QWERTYarrangement. The exemplary virtual keypad 140 additionally includes anumber of virtual functional keys such as a virtual <ENTER> key 156which can be employed in cooperation with the input apparatus 12 and theprocessor apparatus 16 to provide a functional input to the processor124. The exemplary virtual keypad 140 additionally includes a number ofvirtual soft keys 160 that are depicted as text output on the screen 36.As will be described in greater detail elsewhere herein, the virtualsoft keys 160 together provide a virtual touch screen to the handheldelectronic device 4. The exemplary virtual keypad 140 can additionallyinclude a number of virtual input keys 164 such as will be described ingreater detail elsewhere.

As can further be seen in FIG. 1, the exemplary virtual navigationalinput device 144 includes a series of first features 168 and a series ofsecond features 196 disposed on the front surface 48 of the front wall44 of the housing 28. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the series of firstfeatures 168 includes four first features 168A, 168B, 168C, and 168Dthat are in the form of protrusions that protrude outwardly fromadjacent regions of the front surface 48. The series of first features168 are spaced apart from one another along a first axis 172 and along afirst side 176 of the display 32. In the present exemplary embodiment,the first axis 172 is substantially parallel with the first side 176.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, as adjacent pair of the first features 168Aand 168B are spaced apart from one another a first distance 180. Anotheradjacent pair of the first features 168B and 168C are spaced apart fromone another a second distance 184. Another adjacent pair of the firstfeatures 168C and 168D are spaced apart from one another a thirddistance 188. The exemplary first, second, and third distances 180, 184,and 188 are unequal, with the second distance 184 being greater than thefirst distance 180, and with the third distance 188 being greater thanthe second distance 184.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the series of second features 196 includesfive exemplary second features 196A, 196B, 196C, 196D, and 196E. Theseries of second features 196 are protrusions that protrude outwardlyfrom adjacent regions of the front surface 48. The series of secondfeatures 196 are spaced apart from one another along a second axis 200and adjacent a second side 204 of the display 32. In the depictedexemplary embodiment, the second axis 200 is oriented substantiallyparallel with the second side 204. Also in the depicted exemplaryembodiment, adjacent pairs of the second features 196 are spaced apartfrom one another equal distances.

The exemplary series of first features 168 and the exemplary series ofsecond features 196 are depicted as being protrusions that are integralwith the housing 28. It is understood that in other embodiments thefirst and second features 168 and 196 could be of other configurationswithout departing from the present concept. For instance, the first andsecond features 168 and 192 could be in the form of indentations orcould be formed of a material having a different coefficient of dynamicfriction than the material from which the rest of the case 8 is formed,and the like. As will be described in greater detail elsewhere herein,the first and second features 168 and 192 can be employed to provide,for instance, navigational inputs to the processor 124.

As can be understood from FIGS. 1, 3, and 7, the virtual input keys 164include a first virtual input key 208 disposed at a first location onthe front wall 44 and a second virtual input key 216 disposed at asecond location on the front wall 44. The material of the front wall 44at the first virtual input key 208 is of a first thickness 212 that isdifferent than a nominal housing thickness 214. The first and secondvirtual input keys 208 and 216 are described in greater detail elsewhereherein.

As a general matter, the virtual input devices 24 can be contacted, suchas with a tapping or sliding contact or other contact, as appropriate,to provide vibrational results that can be sensed by the vibrationalinput system 92 for the purpose of ultimately providing, in appropriatecircumstances, one or more inputs 136 to the processor 124. Certain ofthe inputs 136 can be provided after comparing the sensed vibrationalresults with reference vibrational results stored in the memory 128.Other inputs 136 can be provided after processing the vibrationalresults to determine a location on the case 8 where the contact was madeand resultantly providing an input 136 that corresponds with theparticular location. In certain circumstances, the routine 132 candetermine that the vibrational results are to be ignored; which mightresult in no input 136 resultantly being provided to the processor 124.

As a general matter, however, once a contact is interpreted by theroutine 132 as being a desirable contact, i.e., a contact that isdesired by the user or is otherwise desirable by the handheld electronicdevice 4, an input 136 that is stored in the memory 128 and thatcorresponds with the particular contact is input to the processor 124.In this way, a contact with the handheld electronic device 4 can resultin a stored input 136 being input to the processor 124.

As employed herein, the expression “vibrational results” and variationsthereof is intended to refer broadly to any kind of vibrational energyor activity that results from a contact with the handheld electronicdevice and could include, for instance, vibration of a fluid such as airwhich would include acoustic energy, and vibration of a solid such asthe case 8 or other structure of the handheld electronic device 4 whichwould include mechanical vibration energy.

As employed herein, the expression “contact” and variations thereofshall refer broadly to any type of physical interaction with thehandheld electronic device 4, and can include touching, tapping,sliding, impinging air, and the like without limitation, can be donemanually, with the us of an implement, and the like, can include bothintentional and unintentional events, and can include causing thehandheld electronic device 4 to interact with another structure orevent.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the display 32 includes an exemplary textualoutput 224 in the form of the text “the quick brown fox jumped over thelazy dogs”. A cursor 228 is also depicted on the display 32 within thetext. As a general matter, the cursor 228 is movable in any one or moreof a first direction 232, i.e., north, a second direction 236, i.e.,south, a third direction 240, i.e., east, and a fourth direction 244,i.e., west. As a general matter, the cursor is movable in any of thefirst, second, third, and fourth directions 232, 236, 240, and 244 as aresult of one or more navigational inputs, such as one or more of theinputs 136 stored in the memory 128 and input to the processor 124. Asindicated elsewhere herein, the series of first features 168 and theseries of second features 192 can advantageously be employed to resultin the inputting to the processor 124 of such navigational inputs 136.

As further indicated elsewhere herein, a plurality of referencevibrational results 248 are stored in the memory 128. In the presentexemplary embodiment, the virtual navigational input device 144, whichin the present exemplary embodiment comprises the series of firstfeatures 168 and the series of second features 192, is configured toreceive sliding contact by a user. Such sliding contact on the firstfeatures 168 and/or the second features 192 results in the generation ofvarious vibrational results which can be sensed by the vibrational inputsystem 92. The vibrational results can be compared with one or more ofthe reference vibrational results 248 stored in the memory 128 todetermine which if any of the inputs 136 in the memory 128 should beinput to the processor 124.

For example, the reference vibrational results 248 may include a firstreference vibrational result 252, such as is depicted generally in FIG.8, and which corresponds with at least a first predeterminednavigational input 136 in the memory 128. The first referencevibrational result 252 is depicted as comprising a series of vibrationalpulses over time, with the vibrational pulses having a first referencetemporal distribution 256. Specifically, the chronological first andsecond pulses are separated by a first time period 256A, thechronological second a third pulses are separated by a second timeperiod 256B, and the chronological third and fourth pulses are separatedby a third time period 256C. The exemplary first reference temporaldistribution is comprised of the first, second, and third time periods256A, 256B, and 256C in chronological order. The first referencevibrational result 252 may, for example, correspond with a navigationalinput in the first direction 232.

The exemplary first reference temporal distribution 236 may also includea first overall time period 256D which can, for instance, berepresentative of the overall time duration between onset of the firstpulse and onset of the fourth pulse. The first overall time period 256Dwill be described in greater detail elsewhere herein.

The reference vibrational results 248 may additionally include a secondreference vibrational result 258 that is stored in the memory 128 and,for instance, that corresponds with a navigational input 136 in thesecond direction 236. The second reference vibrational result 258includes a plurality of vibrational pulses having a second referencetemporal distribution 260. Specifically, the first and second pulses areseparated by a first time period 260A, the second and third pulses areseparated by a second time period 260B, the third and fourth pulses areseparated by a third time period 260C.

Upon sensing vibrational results of a contact with the handheldelectronic device 4, the routine 132 compares a representation of atleast some of the vibrational results with at least one of the referencevibrational results 248 stored in the memory 128 to see if the contactcan be interpreted as an input 136 to the processor 124 or if thecontact should be ignored. For example, the sensed vibrational resultsmay be a sensed series of vibrational pulses which can be compared witheither or both of the first and second reference vibrational results 252and 258 for the purpose of interpreting the intent by the user in makingthe contact with the handheld electronic device 4. For instance, thetemporal distribution of the sensed series of vibrational pulses may becompared with either or both of the first and second referenced temporaldistributions 256 and 260 in order to determine which, if either, of anavigational input in the first direction 232 and a navigational inputin the second direction 236 was intended by the user. By way of example,the time duration between the sensed first, second, third, and fourthvibrational pulses can be compared with the first, second, and thirdtime periods 256A, 256B, and 256C of the first reference temporaldistribution 256, and/or can be compared with the first, second, andthird time periods 260A, 260B, and 260C of the second reference temporaldistribution 260 to determine which, if either, of the first and secondvibrational results 252 and 258 can be said to be consistent with thesensed vibrational results.

The comparison can be performed on any of a variety of bases. Forexample, the analysis may be based upon determining which of thereference vibrational results 248 to which the sensed vibrational resulthas the greatest degree of correspondence. In such a circumstance, theinput 136 corresponding with the reference vibrational result 248 havingthe greatest degree of correspondence with the sensed vibrationalresults will be input to the processor 124. Alternately or additionally,the routine 132 may employ a threshold degree of correspondence betweenthe sensed vibrational results and the reference vibrational result 248,with the threshold having to be met or exceeded before an input 136 isprovided to the processor 124. Such a threshold might be usefullyemployed in determining whether sensed vibrational results should beignored, such as might occur if the threshold is not met.

For instance, the routine 132 may conclude that the first referencevibrational result 252 has the greatest degree of correspondence withthe sensed vibrational results. Since the first reference vibrationalresult 252 corresponds with a navigational input 136 in the firstdirection 232, the routine 132 will input to the processor 124 anavigational input 136 in the first direction 232. If the results of acomparison between the sensed vibrational results and the referencevibrational results 248 are inconclusive, the routine 132 may ignore thecontact, may display an error message, or may take other appropriateaction.

It is noted that the spacing of the first features 168A, 168B, 168C, and168D allow a ready distinction to be made by the routine 132 between asliding contact in the upward direction from the perspective of FIG. 5,such as would coincide with the first reference vibrational result 252,and a sliding contact in the downward direction from the perspective ofFIG. 5, which would coincide with the second reference vibrationalresult 258. In this regard, it can be seen that the first referencetemporal distribution 256 and the second reference temporal distribution260 are opposites. That is, the sequence in the first, second, and thirdtime periods 256A, 256B, and 256C, corresponds with the sequence of thethird, second, and first time periods 260C, 260B, and 260A, which is thereverse of the chronological order of the first, second, and third timeperiods 260A, 260B, and 260C in the second reference temporaldistribution 260. Advantageously, therefore, a sliding contact in theupward direction from the perspective of FIG. 5 can result in anavigational input 136 in the first direction 232 being input to theprocessor 124, and a sliding contact in the downward direction from theperspective of FIG. 5 can result in an opposite navigational input,i.e., a navigational input 136 in the second direction 236, being inputto the processor 124.

It thus can be seen that the series of first features 168 can beemployed by the user by providing a sliding contact thereon to providenavigational inputs 136 in the vertical direction from the perspectiveof FIG. 1. The routine 132 can additionally tailor the speed and/ordistance of the navigational input depending upon the speed with whichthe sliding contact is made with the series of first features 168. Forinstance, the first overall time period 256D may be employed to specifya speed and/or distance threshold between a low speed and/or lowdistance navigational input and a high speed and/or high distancenavigational input. That is, if the user makes a relatively quicksliding contact in the upward direction with respect to FIG. 5, thetemporal distribution of the sensed vibrational results may have a highdegree of correspondence with the first reference temporal distribution256, which would indicate a navigational input 136 in the firstdirection 232. If, for example, the sensed time period betweeninitiation of the first sensed vibrational result and initiation of thefourth sensed vibrational result is, for instance, at least one-half ofthe first overall time period 256D, the resultant navigational input 136may be performed at a certain speed and/or be of a certain distance. If,on the other hand, the sensed time period between initiation of thefirst sensed vibrational result and the fourth sensed vibrational resultis less than one-half of the first overall time period 256D, forinstance, the navigational input 136 may be, for example, at arelatively higher speed or be of a relatively greater distance. Thisenables both small navigational inputs and large navigational inputs tobe provided to the processor 124 depending upon, for instance, the speedof the sliding contact by the user.

The reference vibrational results 248 may additionally include, forexample, a third reference vibrational result 264 (FIG. 2) having areference temporal distribution in the nature of a series of equallyspaced vibrational pulses, and might correspond with a navigationalinput 136 in either the third or fourth directions 240 or 244. Theroutine 132 potentially could distinguish a sliding contact in therightward direction from the perspective of FIG. 6, such as wouldindicate a navigational input in the third direction 240, from a slidingcontact in the leftward direction from the perspective of FIG. 6, suchas would indicate a navigational input in the fourth direction 244, by,for instance, detecting an increase or a decrease in the amplitude ofinput. For example, the second sensor 104 may detect a series ofvibrational pulses equally spaced in time and having a growingamplitude. The routine 132 may interpret such vibrational results ashaving a correspondence with the third reference vibrational result 264,indicating a navigational input 136 in either the third direction 240 orthe fourth direction 244. The routine 132 may interpret the growingamplitude of the vibrational pulses as being indicative of a slidingcontact in the rightward direction from the perspective of FIG. 6, i.e.,in a direction generally toward the second sensor 104, which wouldresult in a navigational input 136 in the third direction 240. Otherways of distinguishing between sliding contacts in the rightward andleftward directions from the perspective of FIG. 6 can be envisioned. Itis noted, however, that by providing the series of second features 192with a spacing different than the spacing of the series of firstfeatures 168, the routine 132 can distinguish between sliding contactsalong the first axis 172 and sliding contacts along the second axis 200.

The reference vibrational results 248 may additionally include a fourthreference vibrational result 268 and a fifth reference vibrationalresult 272 stored in the memory 128. The fourth and fifth referencevibrational result 268 and 272 might, for instance, be indicative of atapping contact at the first virtual input key 208 and the secondvirtual input key 216, respectively. The fourth and fifth referencevibrational results 268 and 272 might, for example, be generally in thenature of a vibrational signature rather than a series of discretevibrational pulses. This is because the fourth and fifth referencevibrational results 268 and 272 in the present example are reflective oftapping contact at a predetermined location on the handheld electronicdevice 4 rather than being reflective of sliding contact with a seriesof spaced features.

As can be best understood from FIG. 7, a tapping contact at the firstvirtual input key 208 will produce a vibrational result different thanthe same tapping contact at the second virtual input key 216. This isdue, at least in part, to the front wall 44 being of the first thickness212 at the first virtual input key 208 and being of a second thickness220 at the second virtual input key 216, with the first and secondthicknesses 212 and 220 being different than one another and beingdifferent than the nominal housing thickness 214.

Upon detecting a vibrational result of a contact with the handheldelectronic device 4, the routine 132 can perform a comparison betweenthe sensed vibrational result and either or both of the fourth and fifthreference vibrational results 268 and 272 in addition to, or as analternative to, a comparison between the sensed vibrational results andany one or more of the first, second, and third reference vibrationalresults 256, 258, and 264 or other reference vibrational results 248. Inthe exemplary embodiment depicted herein, the fourth referencevibrational result 268 corresponds with a selection input 136 stored inthe memory 128, and the fifth reference vibrational result 272corresponds with a functional input 136 stored in the memory 128 such asa silencing input of the type that might be used to silence audible,visual, or vibrational outputs from the handheld electronic device 4.

As indicated above, it is additionally possible for the routine 132 tointerpret contacts with the handheld electronic device 4 in a fashionother than by comparing the vibrational results with referencevibrational results 248 that are stored in the memory 128. This can bethe situation with the first and second virtual input keys 208 and 216or other virtual input devices 24.

For instance, the routine 132 may be configured to detect a series ofvibrational results that are the result of a contact with the handheldelectronic device 4, and to responsively determine the particularlocation on the case 8 where the contact was made. The particularlocation of the contact will determine whether the contact will resultin an input 136 to the processor 124 or whether the contact is ignored.For instance, if all of the virtual input devices 24 are on the frontsurface 48 of the case 8, a contact on a surface of the case 8 otherthan the front surface 48 would be ignored by the routine 132. Forexample, if a user places the handheld electronic device 4 onto a table,such placement would generate vibrational results that would be sensedby the vibrational input sensor 92. Such vibrational results desirablymight be ignored by the routine 132 since a user, in placing thehandheld electronic device 4 onto a table, likely did not intend suchaction to cause an input to the processor 124.

On the other hand, the routine 132 might determine, for instance, thatthe sensed vibrational results indicate that a tapping contact was madeat a location on the front surface 48 that corresponds with the virtualtext entry key 48 to which are assigned the letters <OP>. In such aninstance, a textual input 136 corresponding with the <OP> key 148 wouldbe provided to the processor 124.

Such sensing of vibrational results can occur in a variety of fashions.For instance, and as is depicted generally in FIG. 10, such sensingcould occur through the use of a single sensor, such as the first sensor100, by detecting as the sequence of vibrational results an initialvibrational result and an echo vibrational result. For example, arepresentation of a series of detected vibrational results is depictedgenerally in FIG. 10 as including a first vibrational result 276, whichis an initial vibrational result of the contact, which is followed by asecond vibrational result 280, a third vibrational result 284, and afourth vibrational result 288. The second, third, and fourth vibrationalresults 280, 284, and 288 are echo vibrational results. In this regard,when a tapping contact, for instance, is made with the case 8, theinitial wave of vibrational energy would radiate in all directions fromthe location of the contact. The initial wave of vibrational energy thuswould travel within and/or through the case 8 toward the first sensor100, for instance, and be sensed thereby.

As the initial wave of vibrational energy travels from the point ofinitial contact, the initial wave of vibrational energy will bereflected by and away from one or more of the front, rear, top, bottom,left, and right walls 44, 52, 60, 68, 76, and 84 or other structures.Such reflective vibrational energy would also travel within and/orthrough the case 8 and would be detected by, for instance, the samefirst sensor 100 and would result in one or more of the second, third,and fourth vibrational results 280, 284, and 288 which, as mentionedabove, are echo vibrational results.

It is noted, however, that reflective vibrational energy can likewisesubsequently and repeatedly be reflected by and away from one or more ofthe front, rear, top, bottom, left, and right walls 44, 52, 60, 68, 76,and 84 or other structures until such reflective vibrational energybecomes attenuated. The sensing of an initial vibrational result and anumber of echo vibrational results thus can have a tendency to provideinformation that can be confusing to the routine 132. It is thus desiredto sense and employ only a particular quantity of the vibrationalresults sensed by the vibrational input system 92. For instance, FIG. 10indicated that the vibrational results which are sensed by the firstsensor 100 within a first period of time 292 after the sensing of aninitial vibrational result will be registered, and that additionalvibrational results occurring within a second period of time 296 afterthe first period of time 292 will be ignored by the routine 132.

In the present example, the tapping contact of the case 8 at thelocation corresponding with the <OP> key 148 resulted in the first,second, third, and fourth vibrational results 276, 280, 284, and 288.However, only the first and second vibrational results 276 and 280occurred during the first period of time 292. The third and fourthvibrational results 284 and 288 occurred during the second period oftime 296, and thus are ignored. The routine 132 can employ known timereversal algorithms and the like to determine the location on the case 8of the tapping contact in order to provide an appropriate input 136 tothe processor 124.

The exemplary first period of time 292 can be, for instance, one-half ofa millisecond, and the second period of time can be, for instance, fiftymilliseconds. In many handheld electronic devices, the input system isalready configured such that, upon detection of an input, the systemwill ignore additional inputs for a particular period of time such asfifty milliseconds in order to avoid confusing inputs, such as multipleinputs from, for instance, the same key during a single actuation. Inthe example depicted in FIG. 10 and described herein, such a systemwould be supplemented by detecting all vibrational results within afirst relatively small period of time, i.e., the first period of time292, and thereafter would ignore additional vibrational results duringthe second period of time 296. After expiration of the second period oftime 296, the routine 132 would again be configured to detectvibrational results, such as the vibrational results of an additionaltapping or other contact on the case 8.

Alternatively, the routine 132 may detect the temporal distributionbetween vibrational results detected from a plurality of sensors. Inthis situation, the various vibrational sensors typically would each besensing an initial vibrational result of a contact by the user, withsuch sensing occurring at different locations within the case 8 in orderto determine a location of the contact on the case 8.

For instance, FIG. 11 depicts the exemplary vibrational results of acontact by a user with the front surface 48 at a location correspondingwith the <OP> key 148. Specifically, a first vibrational result 376might be sensed by the second sensor 104. After a first time period 378a second vibrational result 380 may be sensed by the first sensor 100,and after a second time period 382 after sensing of the secondvibrational result 380 a third vibrational result 384 may be detected bythe third sensor 108. The use of the first, second, and third sensors100, 104, and 108 could allow a triangulation, in effect, to beperformed to determine the specific location on or within the case 8 ofthe contact. It is noted, however, that such sensing could be performedby fewer than three vibrational sensor, i.e., such as by using only apair of vibrational sensors, and that the expression “triangulation” isnot intended to require three vibrational sensors.

Another exemplary vibrational result is depicted generally in FIG. 12.Here, a first vibrational result 476 may be detected at a first time bythe third sensor 108. At a first time period 478 thereafter, a secondvibrational result 480 may be sensed by the first sensor 100 and a thirdvibrational result 484 may be sensed by the second sensor 104, with thesecond and third vibrational result 480 and 484 being detectedsimultaneously. Such a set of vibrational results might indicate acontact with the rear surface 56, which would be ignored by the routine132.

It is understood that in other embodiments the microphone 96 and theloudspeaker 112 could be employed as the vibrational sensors of thevibrational input system. In this regard, the loudspeaker 112 would bemechanically relied upon to provide input in addition to providingoutput. This would enable a device such as a telephone, which typicallywould already include a microphone and a loudspeaker, to take advantageof virtual input devices generally without the need to add furthercomponents such as additional vibrational sensors.

It is further understood that the predetermined locations on the frontsurface 48 are not limited to locations other than atop the display 32.For instance, FIG. 1 depicts four virtual soft keys 160 having variousexemplary textual legends such as “MODE”, “FUNCTION”, “ON/OFF”, AND“SYSTEM” depicted on the display 32. In the present example herein, thevirtual soft keys 160 result in a virtual touch screen since thevibrational input system 92 would detect vibrational results of atapping contact with any of the virtual soft keys and, in appropriatecircumstances, would result in an input 136 to the processor 124. Thehandheld electronic device 4 thus can achieve the same function as amechanical touch screen without the expense, weight, and potentialquestions of reliability that would be associated with the use of amechanical touch screen.

In this regard, it is understood that the display 32 could occupy all ornearly all of the front surface 48 of the handheld electronic device 4with, for instance, the virtual text entry keys 148 each being in theform of a virtual soft key, i.e., having a predetermined location on thedisplay 32 and having the linguistic elements 152 thereof visuallyoutput by the display 32. Such a system would provide a high degree ofversatility since various layouts can be selected for the virtual keypad140, and because different applications could provide different virtualinput devices 24. For instance, a text entry routine might provide a setof virtual text entry keys in the form of virtual soft keys 160 on thedisplay 32. Upon entering a calculator mode, for instance, the virtualtext entry keys 148 could be replaced with virtual numeric entry keys,all of which would be in the nature of different virtual soft keys 160.

An exemplary flow chart depicting certain aspect of the method describedherein is depicted generally in FIG. 13. First, and as at 504, thevibrational input system 92 would sense a vibrational result and inputthe sensed vibrational results to the routine 132. Thereafter, as at508, the routine would compare the sensed vibrational results with oneor more of a number of reference vibrational results 248. At 512 theroutine would identify a particular vibrational result 248 as, forinstance, either or both of having a greatest degree of correspondenceand meeting or exceeding a threshold degree of correspondence with thesensed vibrational results. Thereafter, and as at 516, the routine 132would input to the processor 124 a predetermined input 136 correspondingwith the particular reference vibrational result 248 identified at 512.Processing thereafter continues at 504 where additional vibrationalresults can be sensed. Although not expressly depicted herein, if athreshold degree of correspondence is employed and is not met at 512,processing could be transferred to 504.

Certain aspects of another method depicted herein are illustrated inFIG. 14. At 604, the vibrational input system 92 senses a firstvibrational result and inputs the vibrational result to the routine 132.Thereafter, as at 608, the vibrational input system 92 senses a secondvibrational result and inputs the second vibrational result to theroutine 132. At 612, the routine identifies the location of contact onthe case 8. In this regard, and as suggested above, the contact can beeither on the housing 28, such as might result in the example of avirtual keypad 140, or can occur on the display 32, such as might occurin the example of a virtual touch screen.

At 616, the routine 132 determines whether the location of contact is ata predetermined location on the case 8. If yes, processing continues to620 where the routine 132 inputs to the processor 124 an input 136corresponding with the predetermined location. Processing thereaftercontinues to 604 where additional vibrational results can be sensed. If,however, at 616 the routine determines that the contact was at otherthan a predetermined location, processing continues, as at 624, wherethe routine 132 ignores the first and second vibrational results.Processing thereafter continues to 604 where additional firstvibrational results can be detected.

While specific embodiments of the disclosed and claimed concepts havebeen described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in theart that various modifications and alternatives to those details couldbe developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure.Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to beillustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the disclosed andclaimed concepts which is to be given the full breadth of the claimsappended and any and all equivalents thereof.

1. A method of enabling input into a handheld electronic device of atype comprising a case, an input apparatus, and a processor apparatus,the input apparatus and the processor apparatus being disposed on thecase, the input apparatus comprising a vibrational sensor, the processorapparatus comprising a processor and a memory having stored therein atleast a first routine that is executable on the processor, the methodcomprising: sensing, as a vibrational result of a contact by a user witha surface of the case, a series of vibrational pulses having a temporaldistribution; comparing a representation of at least a portion of thetemporal distribution with at least one of a first reference temporaldistribution and a second reference temporal distribution, the firstreference temporal distribution comprising a first series of vibrationalpulses and the second reference temporal distribution comprising asecond series of vibrational pulses which is the inverse of the firstseries of vibrational pulses; and interpreting the contact as an inputto the processor.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising sensingas the vibrational result at least one of an acoustic result of thecontact and a vibration of the case resulting from the contact.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, further comprising sensing at least a portion of theacoustic result with a microphone of the input apparatus.
 4. The methodof claim 2, further comprising sensing at least a portion of thevibration of the case with an accelerometer of the input apparatus. 5.The method of claim 1, further comprising interpreting the contact asone of a first navigational input corresponding with the first referencetemporal distribution and a second navigational input corresponding withthe second reference temporal distribution, the first and secondnavigational inputs being directionally opposite one another.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising interpreting the contact as one ofa navigational input in a predetermined direction and anothernavigational input in the predetermined direction, the navigationalinput and the another navigational input being different than oneanother in speed.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising sensingas the vibrational result a vibrational result of a contact by the userwith a series of features disposed on the case.
 8. The method of claim1, further comprising interpreting the contact as a navigational inputto the processor.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprisinginterpreting the contact as an input terminating at least one of anaudible output and a visible output.
 10. A handheld electronic devicecomprising: a case; an input apparatus disposed on the case andcomprising a vibrational sensor structured to sense, as a vibrationalresult of a contact by a user with a surface of the case, a series ofvibrational pulses having a temporal distribution; an output apparatus;and a processor apparatus disposed on the case and comprising aprocessor and a memory having stored therein a routine that isexecutable on the processor and that is structured to compare arepresentation of at least a portion of the temporal distribution withat least one of a first reference temporal distribution and a secondreference temporal distribution, the first reference temporaldistribution comprising a first series of vibrational pulses and thesecond reference temporal distribution comprising a second series ofvibrational pulses which is the inverse of the first series ofvibrational pulses, the routine being further structured to interpretthe contact as an input to the processor apparatus.
 11. The handheldelectronic device of claim 10 wherein the memory has stored therein anumber of first reference vibrational results representative of atapping contact by the user with the case and a number of secondreference vibrational results representative of a sliding contact by theuser with the case.
 12. The handheld electronic device of claim 11wherein the case comprises a series of features disposed thereon, thevibrational sensor being structured to sense the series of vibrationalpulses as resulting from the sliding contact by the user with at leastsome of the features.
 13. The handheld electronic device of claim 12wherein a first adjacent pair of the features are spaced apart a firstdistance, and wherein a second adjacent pair of the features are spacedapart a second distance, the first and second distances being unequal.14. The handheld electronic device of claim 12 wherein at least some ofthe features each comprise a protrusion extending outwardly from anadjacent portion of the case and an indentation extending inwardly froman adjacent portion of the case.
 15. The handheld electronic device ofclaim 10 wherein a first navigational input corresponds with the firstreference temporal distribution, and wherein a second navigational inputcorresponds with the second reference temporal distribution, the firstand second navigational inputs being directionally opposite one another.16. The handheld electronic device of claim 10 wherein the vibrationalsensor is a microphone structured to sense as the vibrational result anacoustic result of the contact by the user with the surface of the case.17. The handheld electronic device of claim 10 wherein the vibrationalsensor is an accelerometer structured to sense as the vibrational resulta vibration of the case resulting from the contact by the user with thesurface of the case.
 18. The handheld electronic device of claim 10wherein the case comprises a housing and a display, the routine beingstructured to interpret a vibrational result of a sliding contact on thecase along a first axis with respect to the display as a navigationalinput on the display in a direction generally parallel with the firstaxis, the routine being structured to interpret a vibrational result ofa sliding contact on the case along a second axis with respect to thedisplay as a navigational input on the display in a direction generallyparallel with the second axis, the first axis and the second axis beingnonparallel.
 19. The handheld electronic device of claim 10 wherein thecase comprises a series of first features disposed thereon and a seriesof second features disposed thereon, the series of first features beingspaced apart from one another along an axis, the series of secondfeatures being spaced apart from one another along another axis, theaxis and the another axis being nonparallel, the routine beingstructured to interpret a vibrational result of a sliding contact alongat least some of the first features as a navigational input in a firstdirection on the display, the routine being structured to interpret avibrational result of a sliding contact along at least some of thesecond features as a navigational input in a second direction on thedisplay, the first direction and the second direction being different.20. The handheld electronic device of claim 19 wherein the series offirst features are spaced apart from one another along and adjacent afirst side of the display, and wherein the series of second features arespaced apart from one another along and adjacent a second side of thedisplay, the first side and the first direction being orientedsubstantially parallel with one another, the second side and the seconddirection being oriented substantially parallel with one another.